The Causes and Prevention of Winter House Fires | SERVPRO® of San Gabriel

1/6/2020 (Permalink)

As the days become shorter and the temperatures become lower, the number of house fire occurrences begin to increase.

Winter sees the highest number of house fires each year, with several season-specific factors contributing to their increase. By understanding what causes this increase, individuals can better prepare themselves to prevent it and have a safe cold-weather season.

Causes for the Increase in House Fires

An Increase in Cooking
The most common cause of house fires in America is repeatedly found to be cooking, and this holds true for the winter months as well. There are many more baked goods, elaborate meals and group-cooking events that occur in the winter, which are likely to contribute to this increase.

The Risk of Heaters
Imploring the use of extra heating methods in addition to a home’s central heat can save money, but it is important to take additional safety precautions in order to prevent the fire risk from increasing. Errors from heaters and fireplaces account for the second-highest amount of fires during the wintertime, so taking precautions are key.

Candles and Decorations
Decorations for the holiday season are a fun way to spread holiday cheer but can lead to fire hazards of their own. Electrical decor such as strings of lights should always be inspected for fraying or overheating. Candles, also common during the wintertime, should be treated with caution in case of the spreading of the open flame to other surfaces.

Prevention of Winter Fires

Understanding why winter fires occur is an important part of knowing how to prevent them. By utilizing these fire safety tips and exercising caution when cooking, warming and adding decor to your home, you will be able to stay safe all season:

• Check smoke alarms once every 30 days and replace every 10 years.
• Always monitor open flames.
• Select space heaters with automatic shut-offs in case they tip over.
• Utilize a screen every time you use a fireplace.
• Draft and practice an emergency escape plan with your household.

If your home has been impacted by a fire, call us right away. We are leaders in restoration and can help you recover quickly after a fire occurs.